Mid-May Garden Update

 

So it's the middle of May and it's averaging over 90 degrees outside.  Perfect conditions for growing tomatoes and  bell peppers! It would seem that, thanks to the Lord, Jesus Christ, my longsuffering on waiting for seed-grown bell peppers is over. I have been continually harvesting about 5 to 6 peppers per week without any real signs of them slowing down. 

Even these smaller ones - the later bloomers - seem to be taking a liking to the conditions.  As long as I keep them watered during the hotter parts of the day and pretty dry at night. 

Tomatoes

I have the same gripe as always when trying to grow these larger varieties of tomatoes. The WAITING!  Also, this is a very risky endeavor since after waiting for so long for these to ripen, critters - both of the flighing and crawling kind - want to have a taste of the sweet goodness. 

I'm hoping that this year, I started the growing early enough to be able to enjoy the majority of my bounty before Nature has her share. 

Watering

So, watering has never really been an issue, however, I'm always looking for better ways of maintaining constant watering. Not for my sake, but for the poor plants especially during the hotter months. 

As usual, I water from below.  Furthermore, having integrated the PVC pipe way of watering has made it quite convenient. 

I've also added this little meter in order to gauge how much water is really getting to the deeper part of the soil. Funnily enough, I first installed this device right after a downpoor the night before.  So it was interesting to see that the gauge indeed was working well and that constant rain will saturate the soil nicely. 

This reinforced the notion that I can save water by not having to water my plants right after or even soon after a good rain.  However, I do see now that I might have to install a better irrigation system since I can see that the way I currently water is not enough. 

On another note, I have learned something new this year - which is always exciting. Apparently, as long as I'm growing into the ground, two or even three tomato plants don't seem to mind sharing space with each other. In the photos above you may have caught that I have tripled down on tomato plants.  Once again, I love how easily gardening lends itself to experimentation.  I simply was too lazy to separate these plants when they were tender seedlings - or perhaps I had missed the safer window - and planted them together. It is a pleasant surprise to see them thriving as well as each one carrying two large tomatoes each. 

Wonderful Abundance - Blessing?

After many years of trial-and-error, it's so great to finally say that I am getting a seemingly bumper crop of green bell peppers! As you can see from the photo above, I've been blessed this year with an abundance of fruit. But, I'm sorry to say that I'm dealing with the same issue I've had when I have had bumper crops of other fruits and vegetables. 

No one is really taking advantage and eating them! Yes, my family is enjoying what I have produced so far; but since the production is so much, they can sometimes go to waste. Now I know why so many people learn to dry or otherwise preserve their over harvest. 

Of course, I will have to learn to do the same because I truly love watching the miracle of the birth of a plant from a seemingly simple seed into the growth of something sustainable and edible and delicious! 

P.S. And the pop-bottle watering system is working very well as always. 

Terrarium As Mini-Greenhouse

So, I found this terrarium at Walmart and instantly had the idea to try to simulate a large scale glass greenhouse. 

I figured it would be the closest to a high end version I could afford for now. I even thought it would be a good way to reverse engineer my own copy. As you can see, I am going ahead with staring a few Jalapeño peppers and cucumbers in this. But one more thing I also wanted to do is keep watering from the bottom as I have done with most of my starts, seedlings, and plants to much success.

But, alas, I soon realized that the terrarium is not water tight. Perhaps this is a good thing when it comes to its original use; as being able to evacuate excess water would be desirable. 

However, for my purposes, it's not ideal. I will try lining the bottom with aluminum foil to see if it will hold a water tight base. 

There's so much to like about this that I'd hate to call it a bust! 

Keeping Seedlings Watered

I was able to create these small paper pots just to get my seedlings started and wait for the proper temperature outdoors. 

It's very simple to water from below using these and because of the size being so close to the Solo cup size, it is very easy to keep algae from overgrowing.

Another added advantage is being able to use a variety of colors for my paper pots. This adds personality to my small office while waiting for the seedlings to grow larger.

Finally Got Bell Peppers to Grow

 

After years of trying and failing at growing bell peppers, it looks as though I will finally get a couple of plants growing after all!

As you can see, I've used the Jiffy Seed Starting Peat Pellets to start out the seeds.

All in all, it seems to have been a success.  We shall see what the future holds.

Lettuce, and Peppers, and 'Maters, Oh My!

So, I've learned that even though I can grow just about anything in the AeroGarden, it doesn't mean I should grow just about anything.

With its shallow basin and relatively low light height (the Harvest Lights only extend to 1 foot instead of more than 2 feet in the more advanced models), the AeroGarden seems to me to be the perfect way to start and maintain plants with similarly shallow root depth.

Air Pruning Results

Full Speed Ahead!

Well, after only a little transplant shock, it would seem that my babies have transitioned will from their watery home in the AeroGarden to take root in their more permanent home in soil (in the greenhouse).

Phenomenal Growth

So, I came to the conclusion a few weeks ago that while the AeroGarden (AG) is more than suitable for starting plants, it leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to growing and maintaining them.

 

I tend to grow from the seeds that I already have from years before, and unfortunately for the AG most of these varieties are taller than what  it can support.  So I have to inevitably transplant my starts.  But there is no problem with transplanting especially since I have many times more space out in my garden than in the AG.

So now, we are in the cusp of May and the verge of summer. Where most people above zone 7 or 8 might just be getting started with their gardens, here in zone 9 we have to be careful to shade some plants since they can literally fry from too much heat. 

As such, I personally will have to closely monitor my babies, especially those in the greenhouse. But in the mean time, I will bask in the sun and enjoy how my garden is growing.  

Transfer Success = Garden Success

Well, it's been a few weeks since I last posted an update about my garden, but it's been a great few weeks nonetheless.
I know now that there is minimal transplant shock when transferring my AeroGarden started seedlings to soil - even when having to tear off some roots in the process.  One of the advantages that growing hydroponically and indoors has is no worries about the weather.

AeroGarden - Week 6 (Final Week)

Well, what more can I say?  This week has been even more eventful than I could have ever imagined when I first bought the wonderful AeroGarden by Miracle Gro.  To begin with, I never thought that I would actually like a Miracle Gro product; but this has far exceeded my expectations.

AeroGarden - Week 5

After years of trying to grow bell peppers from seed unsuccessfully,
the Aero Garden finally makes it effortless!

Having Fun With My Own Seeds

So a while ago, I mentioned that I had received a box of seeds as a Christmas present.  Well, that package of seeds has finally come in handy thanks to my AeroGarden!  

AeroGarden Seedling Transplantation

Well, the biggest news going on in the garden is that I'm making more room in my AeroGarden by transplanting the babies to the soil (in the garden).

Here I have the two Basil seedlings in large containers.
Hopefully they will be large and bountiful.

AeroGarden - Week 4

After a month of steady growth, it's time to move these herbs into the garden.

Movin' On Up!

 Well, after a month of steady and excellent growth, it's time to move my herbs into the garden.  Yes, the experiment is over - to great success.  I am completely sold on the AeroGarden and what it can do for me and my family when it comes to growing healthy food from the comfort of my own home.  It was worth every single penny.

AeroGarden - Week 3

Bounteous Harvest

So, having such a wonderful harvest right here inside my home, it's hard to believe that now I have a new problem. It's that I have too many herbs to harvest! So I'm planning to do what I do when I have the same issue during the late spring and early summer....

AeroGarden Week 2.5

Fist Fruits

Well, it's only been two and a half weeks and I've already harvested a nice handful of Genovese and Thai basil.  I'm more than ecstatic to say the least.  I will be immediately drying the harvest and making a powder for the future.  I actually use my dried basil for sore throat relief - as a tea.

AeroGarden - Week 2

Week 2 and everything seems to be coming up!

Well, so far so good!  It would seem that the AeroGarden is living up to advertising with all seeds germinating...even the ones I'm not really interested in...

I Haven't Forgotten My First Love

Sometimes when you discover something new about yourself such as a new skill or learn something new, you tend to get very excited about it and put all your effort into that new endeavor.  But sometimes - if you're lucky - you find out more than one new thing about yourself and you have a decision to make.  Should I put more effort into the new skill than the old; should I focus on my original skill and just count the new one as extra; or should I foster them both and grow them equally?

Aerogarden - Week 1

It's been a week already and a lot has happened.  But before I get to that, I wanted to emphasize how easy it's been "maintaining" the proper environment for my seedlings.

Peek-A-Boo!

 It's only been 3 days and both basils have sprouted - a full day early!

Taking It To the Next Level...

So, I finally did it...  I purchased one of those "Grow A Garden in Your Home" kits.  Namely, the AeroGarden by MiracleGro.

For quite a while, I've been wanting to make seed sprouting more effortless (not that it is difficult during the spring), and instead of having to wait until it warms up in the spring, I figured I'd get a real jump on the season with this purchase.